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Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer and added a two-run single later, collecting five RBI in the Yankees' 7-5 win over the Mets on Thursday.

Sanchez took Mets starter Steven Matz deep in the first inning for the three-run jack, his 22nd of the year and his fourth in his last six games. He tacked on a two-RBI single in the fourth, running his RBI total to 64 this year. The 24-year-old was mired in a slump in late July and early August, but that's a thing of the past. Sanchez is slashing .277/.352/.526 overall.

Curtis Granderson hit a grand slam in a loss to the Yankees on Thursday.

Mets fans had little to cheer about on this night, and most nights, but Granderson gave the remaining fans a treat when he cleared the wall in the ninth inning to cut the Yankees' lead to two. That would remain the difference, making the dong little more than a footnote of an otherwise forgettable game for the Queens club. Granderson also walked twice in the contest. The 36-year-old is hitting .228/.334/.481 with 19 homers, 52 RBI and 58 runs scored this season.

Brett Gardner had a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Mets.

With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, Gardner delivered a two-run double as part of a four-run frame for the Yanks. He's now got 75 runs scored on the year, seventh-most in the American League. The 33-year-old is batting .248/.341/.430 with 19 homers, 51 RBI, those 75 runs and 15 stolen bases on the year.

Dellin Betances worked a flawless ninth inning Thursday against the Mets to earn his eighth save.

Betances surely didn't think he'd be needed in a game that was 7-1 entering the ninth, but a meltdown by Bryan Mitchell forced the right-hander into the contest to protect what was suddenly a two-run lead with no outs. Betances did so and with little trouble, needing just 11 pitches to end the threat. He's now got a 2.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 79/33 K/BB ratio over 46 innings of work this year, proving to be a more-than-capable closer in the instance of injury or ineffectiveness of Aroldis Chapman.

Steven Matz allowed seven runs -- six earned -- over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to the Yankees on Thursday.

Matz was in a 3-0 hole after four batters, and while he managed to hold the Yanks at bay in the second and third innings, they struck again for four more runs in the fourth. Matz gave up a homer among his seven hits allowed, also walking two while striking out four. The loss was the sixth in a row for the 26-year-old, who hasn't won since June 28. Matz will carry a 2-7 record and 6.08 ERA into Tuesday's matchup with a dangerous Diamondbacks team.

Luis Severino struck out nine over 6 1/3 innings, allowing only an unearned run, in Thursday's win over the Mets.

Severino walked three while allowing just four hits, dominating the hapless Mets for most of the night. It was a great showing after he got knocked around by the Red Sox his last time out. The 23-year-old, who had to fight for a rotation spot in spring training, has been one of the season's breakout stars, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 175/41 K/BB ratio while going 10-5 through 24 starts. He'll look to keep his fantastic season going Wednesday against the Tigers.

Aaron Slegers allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings in his MLB debut Thursday, and the Twins beat the Indians 4-2 in the second game of a doubleheader.

Slegers was possibly even better than his ERA would indicate, giving up just two hits and walking two in total. He actually could have gone even deeper if Twins manager Paul Molitor had desired, needing just 82 pitches to get through his 6 1/3 innings of work. Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, the only thing he didn't do was get a win for his efforts. The young right-hander has been just as good at Triple-A this year, posting a 3.18 ERA while going 13-4, and Thursday's debut very well could have earned him a longer stay at the big league level.

Ryan Merritt allowed two runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 3 2/3 innings in a spot start Thursday against the Twins.

Merritt needed 61 pitches to get 11 outs, and even in the nightcap of a doubleheader manager Terry Francona didn't hesitate to give him the hook. In three appearances, the 25-year-old has a decent 3.12 ERA but less impressive 1.73 WHIP. Merritt will likely find his way back to the minors soon.